Let’s face it, flight instructors are some of the bravest and most patient individuals on the planet. You try to kill them, and they keep coming back for more. I know for a fact that I would not be a pilot without the non-stop help and support of my flight instructors along the way for my private pilot certificate. You spend countless hours together with these individuals in the cockpit, classroom, and on the ramp—before long, they start to feel like a second family.
After passing your checkride, it is a thoughtful (and well-deserved) gesture to provide your CFI with a nice gift for their helpful guidance and hard work. CFIs are working hard, often early in their aviation careers, and a practical token of appreciation goes a long way.
What should you get your flight instructor?
This was one of the gifts I gave my instructor after earning my PPL. It’s the perfect all-around bag—big enough for essentials but not bulky. It works great as a flight bag, overnight bag, or for carrying ground school materials. The three-in-one design makes it even better: a rugged carry handle for quick swaps between airplanes, hideaway backpack straps, and a padded shoulder strap for over-the-shoulder use.
Flight Gear Smart Battery Pack MAX
This backup battery pack has some serious power, which is why it is a perfect gift for your instructor. Your CFI could be using multiple devices a day (iPad, Sentry, phone, etc) and sometimes have multiple flight blocks back to back without much time to top off their aviation devices. That is where this battery pack comes in. It has a whopping 27,600 mAh of capacity. Meaning it can charge an iPad Mini up to 4.5 times. Simply put, it’s a lifesaver for anyone juggling multiple devices.
Flight Gear Rechargeable Smart Flashlight
Your flight instructor could potentially have more night hours than you have total time. That is why I also chose to get my instructor a high-quality aviation light that will last a long time. Featuring a smart digital display that helps you stay informed with a crystal clear digital screen to let you see your light color, light mode, brightness level, and remaining battery life. Plus, an easy toggle switch is located on the side allowing for bright white light for preflights and red light for preserving night vision. It’s durable, sleek, and one of those tools they’ll actually use.
Honorable mentions
Definitely the priciest option on this list, but if you really want to make a solid impression, this one’s hard to beat. Even if they already have a favorite headset, a backup headset is never a bad thing.
Maybe the smartest gift of all is the gift of choice. Let your flight instructor choose exactly what they want and need.
While gifting can be a challenge for most, Sporty’s tries to make it simple for everyone by compiling gift guides for all sorts of buying ranges and styles. So the next time you pass a checkride or reach that next aviation milestone, do not forget to thank the person who flew alongside you most of the way.
PS- More right rudder
